2/28/12

HARRY WATERS

TO PERFORM IN ARGENTINA
BY D.B.N

ND ATENEO THEATRE
MARCH 11th, 2012
8:30 PM

Article By Adriana Rubio



Harry Waters is a British piano and Hammond organ player who is internationally known not only for being the son of former Pink Floyd’s bass player Roger Waters but for his inimitable creativity in terms of musical expression in different styles until he found his piano playing way in jazz music. 

Harry started his first piano basic-lessons at the age of eight with a piano teacher in England. Five years later he took the learning task to a more serious level with another piano teacher who taught him boogie woogie, blues and ragtime. 

Harry Waters played in various bands from funk, metal, rock and pop. He also played for a couple of covers bands such as “Boot-Led Zeppelin” and “The Cosmic Charlies”. All this together gave Harry the opportunity to try out different styles of music and improve his piano playing for three long years mainly immersed into rock music. 

The young piano player Waters then started to listen to jazz music and found it particularly interesting to experiment with it and break the rules of rock structures. This eventually caused a notorious change on his piano playing and musical compositions in times where he was playing with a rock band called Hubble Deep Field. This led to some musical disagreements with the band members so Harry walked off. Around the same time he started playing his piano along to Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson albums so it was not that difficult for Waters to finally decide the musical style he wanted to jump in. He formed a quartet band with the following lineup:

Harry Waters: Piano
Brandon Allen: Tenor Sax
Yaron Stavi: Double Bass
Jon Scott: Drums

“Harry Waters Band” played numerous and successful gigs including the “Jazz-i-nec”, a Jazz Festival in Trutnov, Czech Republic. 

Harry Waters is currently touring with his father Roger Waters’ The Wall Live in South America, and during his visit to Buenos Aires, Argentina for nine “The Wall” concerts at River Plate Stadium, he will perform in a more intimate environment with musicians by surprise including the Argentine Modern Group “Timotteo”. The event is effectively being presented and promoted by D.B.N, an Argentine Records Distributor Company since Harry’s band recently released a record of 13 tracks. Eleven of those are fully composed by Harry Waters, and two Bonus Tracks “Libertango” and “Violentango” which are versions from Tango Master Astor Piazzola featuring “Timotteo”. Harry Waters’ performance will take place at ND ATENEO Theatre in Buenos Aires on March 11th, 2012.


TRACKS LIST

BLUES IN G
JUMPING
PETERSONS BOUNCE
JUGGLING FOR BEGINNERS
SCHOLLARS MATE
RUM AND COCA-COLA
BLUES IN F
GARDEN PARTY
SPRING STEPPING
ALLIGATORS FUNERAL
JARRETTS DREAMS
LIBERTANGO
VIOLENTANGO

For further information on Harry Waters please visit his official website at:


To purchase tickets for Harry Waters performance in Argentina and/or to know more about it visit the following links:







2/25/12

ROGER WATERS

THE WALL TOUR 2012
Article by Adriana Rubio

Roger Waters’ “The Wall Live” project-design to tour the world was headed by Mark Fisher working hand in hand with a number of prestigious names such as Jeremy Lloyd, Sean Evans, and Tyler Kisera of Tait Towers along with Andrew Zweck of “Sensible Events”, and Chris Kansy internationally known for his work with Van Morrison and Janet Jackson among others. 


For young beginners into the music world and/or for those who are not yet familiar with the origins of “The Wall”, I’m putting together the most relevant elements to understand better the concept of this new “The Wall”, a memorable live tour that Roger Waters invites the world to join his venture and message.

 
The Wall is an opera rock which deeply explores human beings’ abandonment, suffering and isolation conditions. It is all represented by the figurative building of a huge wall. The double album songs and film storyline follow a number of events happening in the life of the main character Pink, a role mainly based on Roger Waters’ personal story. He grew up hoping his father would return back home. Waters’ father was killed during the World War II. The story continues with an oppressed Pink by his domineering mother plus he finds himself tormented at school by despotic-insulting teachers. The whole thing turns out into symbolic “bricks”.  Pink grows up and turns out to be a successful rock star. But his personal life becomes a nightmare with the abandonment-infidelity of his wife, drug abuse and acts of rage toward others as his behavior turns unpredictable. This way, Pink finishes the building of his own wall and secluding himself from human contact. While Pink hides behind his own wall, his nervous system experiences a variety of behavioral crisis and ends up on an on-stage “hallucination” performance where he sees himself as a fascist dictator playing in front of a Neo-Nazi assembly. The guilt Pink feels is too big to handle so he puts himself on a court-trial where his own judge orders him to “Tear Down The Wall”.
The Alan Parker-directed film The Wall written by Roger Waters includes several reflections on Pink Floyd co-founder and former member guitarist-singer-visual artist Syd Barrett. Roger Waters shows the grief that Syd’s erratic behavior caused on him the day the guitarist appeared at Abbey Road Recording Studios in 1975 with his hair and eyebrows shaved off. The sad event is represented by the Pink character played by musician-actor Bob Geldof in a crucial scene where he shaves off his body hair and eyebrows after experiencing a mental breakdown.
The extraordinary new presentation of The Wall is by far the purest-honest masterpiece ever created. The feelings of loss, suffering and abandonment that were at the center of Roger Waters’ original “The Wall” storyline are still present. But the significance of it as a whole has now been extended to a more deep assertion on the consequences caused by religions, war, politics and business-trade. It also shows how all this together impacted on people’s lives for centuries. Corporate logos and religious symbols reveal most of the human kind conflicts. It doesn’t matter if you’re not familiar with the 1979 Pink Floyd double album or the Alan Parker-directed movie. The message is clear enough and is the kind of spectacle that you can’t miss. The Wall is more like a fine-arts-theatrical production than an average rock concert. 
“The Wall Live” is divided into two 55 minutes long Acts approximately where this astonishing masterwork delights the audience not only musically but visually with the building of the huge wall with hundreds bricks together and making a total of about 500. During and after its full construction, the meaningful wall turns into some sort of huge screen where outstanding-colored-significant images are shown.  Additionally the 10m-high inflatable puppets representing The Teacher, The Mother, and the famous flying pig make the audience feel that the whole thing is not of this planet.
 
 
The Wall is musically recreated by Roger Waters on bass guitar, acoustic guitar and vocals. Waters is accompanied by eleven accomplished musicians: guitar virtuoso Dave Kilminster who plays lead electric guitars during most of the show, acoustic-classical guitar on the song “Is there Anybody Out There?”; the banjo and also plays Waters’ bass Fender Precision on the song “Mother”. However the key moment for Kilminster is on the song “Comfortably Numb” which he plays so passionately note for note to please Floyd-Gilmour fans with a real high level of professionalism. Guitarists Snowy White and G.E Smith are truly amazing too, drummer Graham Broad, keyboardist Jon Carin, keyboardist-organist Harry Waters who is Roger Waters’ son and plays with him since 2002, vocalist Robbie Wyckoff and backing singers’ a.k.a The Pumpkin Launchers, Jon Joyce and The Lennons (Mark, Kipp and Pat).
After a number of sold-out and successful performances in Australia and New Zealand in February 2012, Roger Waters, musicians and crew prepare for the South America leg starting with two gigs in Santiago de Chile at The National Stadium on March 2nd and 3rd. They will be visiting Buenos Aires, Argentina for nine gigs at River Plate Stadium on March 7th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 17th, 18th and 20th. After completing these performances, The Wall will be in Brazil to play four gigs: Porto Allegre on March 25th, Rio de Janeiro on March 29th, Sao Pablo on April 1st and 2nd. The band will then take a couple weeks off before arriving in Mexico to play two gigs at Foro Sol Stadium on April 27th and 28th.
Roger Waters’ The Wall will continue touring in North America from May to August 2012.
 
THE WALL LIVE SET LIST:
FIRST ACT:
IN THE FLESH
THE THIN ICE
ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL PART 1
THE HAPPIEST DAYS OF OUR LIVES
ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL PART 2
MOTHER
GOOD BYE BLUE SKY
EMPTY SPACES
WHAT SHALL WE DO NOW?
YOUNG LUST
ONE OF MY TURNS
DON’T LEAVE ME NOW
ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL PART 3
THE LAST FEW BRICKS
GOOD BYE CRUEL WORLD
SECOND ACT:
HEY YOU
IS THERE ANYBODY OUT THERE?
NOBODY HOME
VERA
BRING THE BOYS BACK HOME
COMFORTABLY NUMB
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
IN THE FLESH
RUN LIKE HELL
WAITING FOR THE WORMS
STOP
THE TRIAL
OUTSIDE THE WALL
For more information please visit Roger Waters' official site at:
  

2/23/12

GLO

“NO ONE HEARS ME”
Release Date April 2012

Interview & Article
By Adriana Rubio

Photographs
Courtesy of Insights Management

“It’s pretty liberating when you write all the words and then sing them. “No One Hears Me” is probably the most honest job that I’ve done lyrically”. (Riccardo “Rick” Cordi)
 
GLO is a Montreal-based rock-alternative band with a solid message in terms of musical style and personality. These Canadian rockers - Eddie Mazzola (guitarist & keyboardist and bassist), Patrick Rowan (drums) and Riccardo “Rick” Cordi (vocalist & rhythm guitars)-started their walk to stardom with the hit song “Move Along” from their previous album titled “On The Outside”. Now they are aiming higher still with “No One Hears Me”, a new album coming out in April 2012. The lead song to hit radio stations is expected to be “Don’t Believe”.

GLO’s previous album, “On The Outside”, was recorded and produced by the band’s lead guitarist Eddie Mazzola in his own studio. He then presented the tracks to veteran-established music producer-engineer Paul Lani, best known for his outstanding work with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Megadeth among many others, for the final mix. 
 
According to the band’s bio, Eddie and Patrick played in a metal band called “Stollo” before forming GLO. The story says that they had a brand new album recorded when their singer walked off. So they immediately placed an ad to audition singers and, after a long day of auditioning, there was only one left: Riccardo “Rick” Cordi.

“Well, I didn’t realize that I was the last audition of the day. I went in there being myself with my own personality and my own musical style. And it really was one of those rare moments where everything really clicked in terms of personality. We were all on the same page and it really fit perfectly. We’ve been working together ever since”.
  
The addition of Rick Cordi to the band made a huge impact on their musical compositions. They left their metal sound behind in favor of a more alternative-pop-rock sound. They also changed the band’s name from “Stollo” to GLO as a result.

The members of GLO are all classically trained musicians. It could be the reason why the addition of Rick Cordi clicked so naturally. That being said, each member has diverse musical influences, and this may be the reason why GLO’s music sounds nothing like what they listen to.

“We all are classically trained musicians. I started playing piano at a young age, I then learned to play guitar, and I also took singing lessons. Eddie, the band’s lead guitarist plays piano too”.

“I usually write songs while playing around on the piano or on the guitar like this… (this was a video Skype interview, so Rick picked up his guitar and played a couple tunes from scratch). I often come up with a melody as well and then the three of us work on the ideas together”.

“I write all the lyrics, and being the singer sometimes it gets a bit scary when you put yourself out there. I guess in a way I get to express myself differently than the rest of the band does. Using one’s voice is a bit more intimate than any musical instrument you can play… it’s also pretty liberating when you write all the words and then sing them”.


“Our new record “No One Hears Me”, which is coming out in April 2012, is probably the most honest job that I’ve done lyrically”.  

“No One Hears Me” is a five-track album recorded in Montreal, Canada and was produced by platinum-certified record producer John Nathaniel. GLO is now getting ready for the album release. GLO is also preparing for a tour across Canada and hopefully in the United States. The album will be out in April and available on iTunes. In the meantime you can enjoy the upcoming album’s single here:


On a more personal note, I want to thank GLO’s management, “Insights Management”, for setting-up this interview, and a very special thanks to singer Rick Cordi for the nice chat and for surprising me with a few words in Spanish!

For more info on GLO, please visit the official website at:








2/14/12

EVOLUTION

THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF’S OFFICIAL DEBUT EP
Release Date February 15th, 2012
Art Cover: Courtesy of “The Commander In Chief Ltd”


The Commander In Chief recorded five songs for an EP in December 2011 with metal music producer/engineer Sterling Winfield best known for his work with Pantera, Hatebreed and Hellyeah among others featured metal acts. The online release of The Chief’s debut EP “Evolution” is expected for today February 15th, 2012. Sterling Winfield stated:

This is NO auto tune, NO pro tools magic, NO copy and paste. She did all guitars and all vocals for 5 songs in 11 days, performing 12 to 15 hours a day”.

Although The Chief recorded five songs for the EP “Evolution”, one of the songs has been saved for later. So, “Evolution” counts with four tracks:

1. THOU
2. FAMOUS
3. EVOLUTION
4. LET IT GO

THOU is the most heavy track and really honors the 7 string Ibanez Guitar! The producer said: "I would like to see any man play this one after you"...
THOU is about excessive greed and those who make decisions that ruin other people's lives, for the sake of profit. A satirical "Metal Hymn" to the one true God everybody worships: MONEY.   
FAMOUS is a more commercial track as The Chief message needs to be heard by everyone without worrying about any music likes or genre style, period.  It is a slap in the face to reality shows and was directly inspired by Kim Kardashian and Jershey Shore/The Situation, who are famous for...NOTHING.
EVOLUTION, the EP title track clearly reflects a music evolution. The lyrics were inspired by crazy scientists who do anything to get famous, no matter what the consequences are for people or animals. The Chief read about the man who invented Lobotomy, the Frankenstein book and also the scientist who likes to have stuff attached to monkey's brains to see if he can manipulate them. 
LET IT GO is a deep and very well done ballade that goes right to the core. There’s no doubt this song was written on a personal subject. And The Chief confirmed it as a very personal song which was written two years ago to her younger brother. It is for anyone who has been or is being bullied or suffering from some kind of depression.
As stated in a previous article, The Commander In Chief’s future looks bright and promising. She is the first Norwegian female 7 string guitarist-songwriter-singer in Metal!
The Chief was featured in Metal Hammer UK in January, Metal Hammer Norway edition in February and will be in Total Guitar two weeks from now. 

DAVE KILMINSTER PART I


WORLD FAMOUS MULTI-FACETED GUITARIST
Article by Adriana Rubio

Photographs:
From Dave Kilminster-Management-Facebook Page
Albums & Art Covers: Courtesy of Dave Kilminster

 
Dave Kilminster is a prestigious British multi-faceted guitarist, composer, music teacher, vocalist, engineer and producer. In 1991 Dave participated in a competition run by Guitar Magazine and won the award of “Guitarist Of The Year” with the masterwork instrumental “Sundance”

Although Dave Kilminster is best known as the touring guitarist for Roger Waters’ “Dark Side of the Moon” (2005-2008) and “The Wall” (2010-2012), he has also played brilliantly for Keith Emerson Band, Carl Palmer and John Wetton-former King Crimson- among a long list of fabulous artists and bands such as “Qango” and “Guthrie Govan”.

Kilminster has a vast trajectory both as a skillful guitar teacher and as an exceptional performer in the techniques of tapping, pull-off, sweep-picking and hammer-on. He has released a number of guitar-instructional-techniques DVDs and has written many articles for Guitar Techniques Magazine. Critics, fans and musicians agree that Dave is one of the most prestigious talents the music world counts with.  
 
As a solo artist in 2004 Dave re-released the unbeaten classical guitar album “Playing with Fire” which he recorded with one of his ex students featuring all instrumental tracks. In 2007 Dave released his first true solo album “Scarlet” where he plays guitars, keyboards, strings and also sings. Dave wrote all the music and lyrics for this outstanding 10 tracks album featuring Pete Riley on drums and Phil Williams on bass guitar, both from the Keith Emerson Band.
SCARLET
Track List…
1. Silent Scream 2. Big Blue 3. Chance 4. Angel 5. Brightest Star 6. Static 7. Just Crazy 8. Liar, Liar 9. Rain... (On Another Planet) 10. Harkness
“Scarlet” is such a bright album filled with very nice melodies and marvelous guitar work obviously coming from Dave’s astonishing guitar playing technique. But on a more insightful note, “Scarlet” really surprises you with his singing ability as a whole and even holding high notes accurately. Dave’s voice is undoubtedly amazing and really harmonizes with the music.
 In April of 2011, Dave Kilminster released “Closer To Earth”, an acoustic “covers” album featuring the hauntingly soulful voice of Murray Hockridge. According to the English pair there was just an instant connection from the very first time they jammed. The recording sessions and release of the album prove them right.
 
CLOSER TO EARTH
Track List… 1. Losing My Religion (REM) 2. Rocket Man (Elton John and Bernie Taupin) 3. Father Figure (George Michael) 4. I'm Not In Love (Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman) 5. Street Spirit (Fade Out) (Radiohead) 6. Brown Eyed Girl (Van Morrison) 7. Any Major Dude Will Tell you (Walter Becker and Donald Fagen) 8. Hallelujah (Leonard Cohen) 9. Sara Smile (Daryl Hall and John Oates) 10. Time After Time (Cyndi Lauper and Rob Hyman) 11. Wish You Were Here (David Gilmour and Roger Waters)
Here is a promotional video of “Closer To Earth”:
Dave Kilminster is currently touring with Roger Waters’ “The Wall”. This blog is patiently waiting for a person to person interview with Dave. Our fluent communication is still via e-mails. Aside from the guitar virtuoso name he has achieved over the years from his impressive playing technique, Dave Kilminster is the nicest gentleman and respectful musician I’ve been in touch with since my interview with Ronnie James Dio fifteen years ago. 
 
For further information on Dave Kilminster, tour dates, discography and/or to purchase “Scarlet” and “Closer To Earth”, please feel free to visit Dave’s official website at:
TO BE CONTINUED SOON... STAY TUNED!

2/9/12

R.I.P LUIS ALBERTO SPINETTA


A Beautiful Soul Reaches The Heavens
(January 23rd, 1950 - February 8th, 2012)
By Adriana Rubio
 
This is the most difficult article to write for me today, the kind of story I’m refusing to work on since yesterday…
On February 8th, 2012 I received the sad news of Spinetta’s passing. He was fighting lung cancer since last year and unfortunately lost the battle at 62. He devoted 43 years of his life to the art of music expression.  And while his music lives on, he will be greatly missed for the lovely person he was. 
 
Luis Alberto Spinetta also known as “El Flaco”, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on January 23rd, 1950. He was a progressive guitarist, composer, singer and poet. The nature of his musical compositions and poetic lyrics made his name a recognizable one not only in Argentina but in Latin America and in many European countries.

“El Flaco Spinetta” was an avid reader of poetry books, psychology and sociology texts and philosophy. Nietzsche, Freud, Rimbaud, Castaneda and Artaud were the most influential ones on his poetic lyrics. In fact, one of Spinetta’s albums is titled “Artaud”

Spinetta started his musical career in 1967 with a group called “Almendra” with Emilio del Guercio, Edelmiro Molinari y Rodolfo García. The first album was released in 1969 and three of the tracks are still considered classics and will keep that way forever: “Muchacha Ojos De Papel”, “Ana No Duerme” and “Plegaria Para Un Niño Dormido”. In 1970, the band released a double album containing two memorable hits “Rutas Argentinas” and “Los Elefantes”. Almendra worked on an Opera Rock project, but due to some internal conflicts they disbanded.

“El Flaco” worked on a number of musical projects including the recording of a solo album titled “Spinettalandia y sus amigos” which was released in 1971. He then went on to form “Pescado Rabioso” with Carlos Cutaia, Osvaldo Frascino / David Lebón y Black Amaya. They released the album titled “Desatormentados” in 1972 and a double album still considered one of the best of Spinetta’s career: “Pescado II” in 1973. 

Around the same year he released a solo album inspired by Antonin Artaud poetry. However, it appears as work with "Pescado Rabioso". The album art cover is a picture of the famous poet. On several occasions Spinetta stated that he was a huge fan of Artaud poetry.

By the end of 1973 Spinetta formed a brand new band called “Invisible” and released three albums. They disbanded in 1976 saying “good bye” with two sold out concerts at Luna Park stadium.
There’s no doubt, “El Flaco” was born to be an artist. His creative talent was unlimited and never stopped. In 1977 he released another album with a band he simple called “Banda Spinetta”. In 1979 he traveled to the United States and with the full support of world famous Guillermo Vilas, recorded his only album in English titled “Only Love Can Sustain”.
In the 80s the long awaited reunion of “Almendra” finally happened releasing a double live album which was recorded at Obras Sanitarias stadium. Almost at the same time he formed another brand new band called “Spinetta Jade” and soon after he released two solo albums “Kamikaze” in 1982, and “Mondo di Cromo” in 1983.
By 1985 Spinetta tried to work things out with fellow musician Charly García for an album together, but they only registered one song titled “Rezo Por Vos”. El Flaco then worked successfully with Fito Paez and León Gieco releasing “La,La,La”.
There were a huge number of sold out live performances throughout his career and was also able to compose soundtracks for the film “Fuego Gris” directed by Pablo César in 1994. He then formed a trio band called “Spinetta y Los Socios del Desierto”. With this band he toured locally and finished it with a great live show at The Opera Theatre. And in 1996 he said that he wanted to make a massive performance in the woods of Palermo in Buenos Aires for free. 
After a few years of being silent, El Flaco returned back with the new millennium releasing “Silver Sorgo” in 2001, “Para los Árboles” in 2003, “Camalotus” a four tracks EP, “Pan” in 2006 and “Un Mañana” in 2008. On December 4th, 2009 “El Flaco Spinetta” performed at Velez Sarsfield stadium and played there for the enjoyment of his forever fans during five hours.
In January of 2012 he had a major surgery due to complications caused by diverticulitis. According to family statements the surgery was not related to the primary lung cancer. He died peacefully on February 8th, 2012.  
Luis Alberto Spinetta… musician, guitarist, composer, poet… a beautiful soul has now reached the heavens! 

2/8/12

VAN HALEN

“A DIFFERENT KIND OF TRUTH”
Released on Feb 7th, 2012
Article by Adriana Rubio


After 14 long years THEY ARE BACK with a new studio album titled “A Different Kind Of Truth”. It’s filled with 13 tracks that blow your mind away with astonishing wild tunes. These rockers know what they are doing. It really is a killer Van Halen album. Eddie’s guitar playing is back and better than ever.

Van Halen has sold millions of albums, toured and rocked the entire world for years. Eddie Van Halen's guitar techniques, his use of two-handed tapping, vibrato, and tremolo picking have influenced an uncountable number of guitarists. And if for some strange reason you thought there’s nothing else Eddie Van Halen could offer after years of non-studio albums, “A Different Kind Of Truth” proves you wrong! Eddie is definitely back!

“A Different Kind Of Truth” is heavier than any Van Halen album since Fair Warning” and is possibly the most aggressive material ever compared to previous studio recordings throughout the band’s musical career.

Tracks Listing:

1- TATTOO
2- SHE IS THE WOMAN
3- YOU AND YOUR BLUES
4- CHINA TOWN
5- BLOOD AND FIRE
6- BULLETHEAD
7- AS IS
8- HONEYSWEETIEBABYDOOL
9- THE TROUBLE WITH NEVER
10-OUTTA SPACE
11-STAY FROSTY
12-BIG RIVER
13-BEATS WORKING

David Lee Roth vocals certainly put a smile on your face. And Hell Yes! He still delivers the old-school-sexy-powerful rock singing he is known for and is without doubt the right match for Van Halen’s music!

Alex Van Halen’s drumming is the most aggressive ever! As always, Alex plays in perfect tempo with potent rhythmical touches and also shows a remarkable synchronicity with the young bass player Wolfgang Van Halen, the son of Eddie. Wolfgang is 20 y/old and his full-time contribution to this album is by far impressive. He is undoubtedly following the right steps to a successful musical career.  

For further info on the recently released album “A Different Kind Of Truth”, please visit Van Halen Store at: